Coin detector



Aug. 31, 1937. D. CRANMER 2,091,846

COIN DETECTOR Original Filed June 4, 1935 Jam/d fi'm zmer ma INVENTOR av W ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 31, 1937 UNITE FATEW Fi lilifi COIN DETECTOR Donald Cranmer,

Atlantic City, N. J.

4 Claims.

The invention relates to a detector and more especially to a coin detector for coin controlled or coin actuated vending machines or the like.

The primary object, of the invention is the provision of a detector of this character, wherein there is arranged in the coin chute a trigger operating as a switch to close the circuit in.- cluding a signaling device, as for example a lamp, and this trigger in the operation thereof by a spurious coin, token. or the like will effect a flash of the light showing the fact that such coin or the like has been deposited in the chute and also when a legitimate coin is placed within the chute a different signal will be given in that several flashes of light will be had provided the coin or slug is rough faced.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a detector of this character, which is extremely simple in its construction, thoroughly reliable and efficient in operation, sensitive for operation, strong, durable, and inexpensive to manufacture and install.

With these and other objects in view, the in.- vention consists in the features or" construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which discloses the preferred embodiment of the invention and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In. the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a horizontal sectional view through a coin chute showing the detector in plan constructed in accordance: with the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional View on the line 2--2 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawing.

Referring to the drawing in detail, 5 designates a coin receiving slot or chute which is of standard kind as built within a coin controlled or coin actuated vending machine or the like while 6 is the opening for the introduction of the coin into the slot or chute. In association with this slot or chute 5 is a coin detector which comprises a bracket 1 made from strap iron bent on itself to provide a base 8 and an upstanding vertical portion 9, the latter being at the forward end of said base while at the rear end of this base and insulated therefrom as at 253 is an upstanding vertical leg l l having fitted therein an adjustable contact 12 for a swinging switch arm hereinafter described.

A slidable contact 13 is fitted within an insulating barrel l l mounted in the portion 9 and has a forwardly inclined toe iii the latter playing through a clearance H6 in the wall of the slot or chute 5 so that when a coin, is travelling within the latter for deposit within a vending machine or the like the said coin. will operate this slidable contact which is in the nature of a plunger or trigger for forcing the. switch to a closed position for the closing of an electric circuit ll having included therein a visible signal i i. The wires of the circuit I! have the terminal connections 59 and 28 with the contact if and the base 8. The electrical connection of the sliding contact 3 with the base 8 is had through a guide 2| for the latter, the guide being secured to the base by fasteners 22.

The switch is in the form. of a lever 24 and is under tension by a spring 25 which urges one end of the lever into engaging position with the contact l3 so that when the latter is shifted it will move the lever into a position, to engage the contact l2 and at the same time maintaining contact with the member 13 and thus closing the circuit.

Acting upon the sliding contact I3 is a coiled tensioning s ring 23 which urges this contact in the direction of the slot or chute 5 so that the switch in, the circuit is open and likewise the said circuit. This spring 23 is sensitive. Now, when. a spurious coin, token or the like having a smooth face is deposited within the chute or slot 5 on contact with the toe end I5 of the trigger the sliding contact I 3 will move the switch to closing position and a single flash of light will issue by the signal I8 which is indicative of the fact that a bad or illegitimate coin or the like has been'placed in the chute or slot.

Normally the switch is open so that signaling is inactive.

What is claimed is:

l. A detector of the character described, comprising a slidable trigger constituting a contact adapted tobe projected into a coin chute, a bracket supporting the trigger in working position to the chute and insulated therefrom, a swinging contact in the path of the slidable contact to be engaged. by the latter, an electric circuit including a visible signal closed by said contacts when engaged with each other and a terminal within the coin chute on said trigger for effecting a single signal when engaging a smooth faced coin and several signals on, engaging a rough faced coin.

2. A detector of the character described, comprising a slidable trigger constituting a contact adapted to be projected into a coin chute, a bracket supporting the trigger in working position to the chute and insulated therefrom, a swinging contact in the path of the slidable con tact to be engaged by the latter, an electric circuit including a visible signal closed by said contacts when engaged with each other, a terminal within the coin chute on said trigger for effecting a single signal when engaging a smooth faced coin and several signals on engaging a rough faced coin and means supporting the adjustable contact upon the bracket and insulated therefrom.

3. A detector of the character described, comprising a slidable trigger constituting a contact adapted to be projected into a coin chute, a bracket supporting the trigger in working position to the chute and insulated therefrom, a swinging contact in the path of the slidable contact to be engaged by the latter, an electric circuit including a visible signal closed by said contacts when engaged with each other, a terminal within the coin chute on said trigger for effecting a single signal when engaging a smooth faced coin and several signals on engaging a rough faced coin, means supporting the adjustable contact upon the bracket and insulated therefrom and a forwardly inclined toe on said trigger in tersecting the chute.

4. A coin detector for the vertically arranged coin chutes of dispensing machines including a flat metal strap having one end fixed to the chute and having an intermediate U-shaped portion, a sleeve fixed in the inner end of said U- shaped portion, a spring pressed contact rod guided through the sleeve and through the secend end of said U-shaped portion and said contact rod having an inclined toe which freely enters the chute, a pivotally supported spring influenced metal lever having one end normally contacted by the contact rod, an adjusable contact insulated from but supported by the bracket disposed opposite the second end of the lever, in combination with a battery circuit which includes a lamp and which is wired tothe bracket and to the adjustable contact.

DONALD CRANMER. 

